Australia news LIVE: Second Australian found safe after Nepal floods as death toll exceeds 1000; US launches major strikes against Iran

Emily KaineUpdated September 2, 2026 — 7:04am,first published 6:45amKey PostsWhat you need to know todayBy Emily KaineLatest Posts7.04amO’Neil: Downturn in property prices a necessary outcome of stabilising market By Emily KaineHousing Minister Clare O’Neil says a temporary downturn in house prices should not alarm Australians after a report by CBA forecast that a recovery of house prices would not occur until 2027. “It’s clear that house prices are softening around the country, and I really recognise that you know for many Australians, their house is their most important asset,” O’Neil told Seven’s Sunrise. Minister for Housing Clare O’Neil.Dominic Lorrimer“What that report also shows us is that house prices will start to grow again, and CBA says that will happen at some stage next year. The housing market in Australia is inherently cyclical. We see periods of really strong house price growths that are followed by a period of housing downturn. That’s happened now about four times in the last decade.”O’Neil said downturns in property prices were always expected, and were an inevitable outcome of the government’s attempt to stabilise intergenerational inequality in the housing market after it made major changes to property taxes in its May budget. “We’ve seen house prices in our country grow by 300 per cent since the year 2000. If that happens for another generation in our country, our nation is going to be unrecognisable to us in terms of equality and aspiration.”6.44amFresh escalation of tensions between US and Iran By Michael KoziolWashington: The United States military announced its first major strikes against Iran in more than a month, in what it said was an operation targeting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) following recent aggression.The strikes began at 7.30pm Tehran time on Tuesday (2am Wednesday AEST), US Central Command said. “The strikes follow recent attempted attacks by the IRGC against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and against American service members deployed to the region.”Iranian state-run media reported explosions near the port city of Bandar Abbas, and other locations. Islamic Republic of Iran broadcasting alleged the US attacked a fishmeal factory in Qeshm “and several non-military targets” in Hormozgan province.The Strait of Hormuz near Bandar Abbas on Monday.AP Photo/Razieh PoudatSemi-official Iranian media outlets also reported the regime was launching missiles and drones at US assets in retaliation. Press TV published a statement attributed to the country’s military command vowing to inflict “crushing and devastating blows upon the vile and evil American enemy”.The last time the US military confirmed strikes against Iran was on July 29.Read the full story here.6.36amChanel Contos to use press club address to call for ‘opt-in’ algorithms By Emily KaineTeach Us Consent chief executive Chanel Contos will use an address to the National Press Club later today to call on the government to implement an “opt-in” model for social media algorithms, a move she says will prevent platforms from serving damaging “manosphere” content to young men.She will argue social media algorithms are exposing young, impressionable users to harmful content and fuelling a rise in sexual violence in Australia.The advocate launched the “Fix Our Feeds” campaign in December, to address what she labelled the “systematic radicalisation” enabled by algorithms on social media platforms.The federal government will deliver a draft of its Digital Duty of Care laws next month, but Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has not indicated he would back the opt-in model.It will be Contos’ second address to the National Press Club.What you need to know todayBy Emily Kaine1 of 1